Educational device



Feb. 5, 1946. s. c. WlTHERS, JR @394,282

EDUCATIONAL DEVICE Filed March 31, k1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l y Y wpa/way @ms Samuel wif/mrs, Jr; I

Feb, 5, 1946. s. c. WITHERS, JR- 2,394,232

EDUCATIONAL DEVICE Filed March 31, 1944 2` sheets-sheet? 2 Inventor I Samuel C. W/zcns,

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 EDUCATXNAL DEVICE Samuel C. 'Withel-S, Jr., Williamstown, Mass., as-

signor of one-third 'to Francis I.

Burlington, Vt.

Colburn,

Application March 31, 1944, Serial No. 528,940

Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in educational devices for use particularly in teaching the science of meteorology, `and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter lset forth, visual means of novel construction for facilitating the explanation and clarifying the action of air masses, fronts and frontal action.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an educational device of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact and which may be produced at low cost.

All of the foregoing and `still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective View of an educational device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the device with the upper member omitted.

`Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal section through the device.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device.

vFigure 6 is a top plan view of the modification with the upper member omitted.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional View through the modified form.

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the lower members of the modification.

Figures 10 is a side elevational View of the device shown in Figure 1 showing sections of different colors.

Referring now te the drawings in detail, it will be seen that reference character I designates a base of suitable dimensions and material. Removably mounted on the base I is a substantially fiat block which is designated generally by reference character 2. It will be observed that the vertical faces of the block 2 are spaced inwardly from the edges of the base I.

The block 2 is of transparent material and comprises distinctively colored or tinted, complemental upper and lower members or sections 3 and ll, respectively. Removable pins or dowels 5 positioned in suitable holes 5a secure the sections 3 and Il of the block 2 in position on the base I.

The lower member ll of the block 2 comprises a substantially synclinal upper surface 6, the

axis of which slopes from onek end of said member to a pointin spaced relation to its yother end, where, as best seen in .Figure 3 of the drawingait merges with' the bottom of said member Vli, vthus leaving a recess or indentation, as at Tl, insaid other end.

Thel upper member 3 of the block 2 `comprisesl a lower face 8 which conforms to the top face 6 of the member il on which it seats. The' lower face 3 of the member :Sfurther includes, on one end portion, .a lat portion il` which rests on the pcrtion ofthe base I which is within the connes of the recess l in the member 1i. This :is shown to `advantage in Figure 3 of the drawings.'

in .the embodiment of Figures 5 to '9, inclusive, of the. drawings, reference. character I' desig-, nates generally a substantially flat block which is removably mounted on the base I. The block Iii, which is transparent, includes distinctively colored or tinted lower sections or members II and I2 having superimposed thereon an upper member I3. The pins or dowels 5 secure the members ll, I2 and i3 on the base I.

The lower members II and I2 of the block I!! include oppositely beveled, overlapping inner surfaces or faces ifi and I5, respectively. Further, the members i l and I2, in conjunction with ea-ch other, are formed to provide a substantially synclinal upper surface I6, the axis of which slopes longitudinally from one end of the block IG to a point in inwardly spaced relation to the other end of said block` where it merges with the bottom thereof. The upper member I3 includes a lower surface Il which conforms to the surface i6 on which it seats, together with a flat end portion which rests on the base I between the corresponding end portions of the members II and I2.

t is thought that the manner in which the device is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing, particularly to thosevfamiliar with the science of meteorology. Briefly, the lower members of the blocks are positioned on the base I and the upper members are superimposed thereon and on said base, all of said members being retained by the vpins or dowels 5. The distinctively colored or tinted members (see Figure 10) of the transparent blocks represent air masses o-f different characteristic shapes and sizes which permit the student to readily visualize the explanation of the instructor. To further clarify the instructors explanation, wind directions may be indicated on each of the members' through the medium of arrows 2U (see Figure 6). Also, isobars may be provided on each of thel members.

It is believed that the many advantages of an educational device constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although preferred embodiments of teristic shapes, and means for detachably securing each of the members to the base.

2. A meteorology instruction device comprising a substantially iiat base, a substantially flat, transparent block removably mounted on the base, said block including a plurality of distinctively coloredsections adapted to represent air masses of respectively diierent characteristic shapes, said sections comprising complemental, overlapping, irregularly-shaped surfaces, and means removably securing the members in position on the base.

3. A meteorology instruction device comprising a transparent block including distinctively colored upper and lower members adapted to represent air masses of respectively different characteristic shapes, said lower member comprising a substantially synclinal upper surface, said upper surface being inclined, the lower surface of the upper member conforming substantially to said upper surface of the lower member and being engaged therewith.

4. A meteorology instruction device comprising a flat base, a substantially flat, transparent block removably mounted on said base, said block including a lower member and further including an upper member superimposed on said lower memberA and on .the base, said lower and upper` members being distinctively colored and adapted to represent air masses of respectively different characteristic shapes, the lower member including a substantially synclinal upper surface sloping on its longitudinal axis, the lower surface of the upper member conforming substantially to the shape of said upper surface of the lower member and resting thereon, and dowels in the base engaged in the members for releasably securing said members in position on said base.

5. A meteorology instruction device comprising a flat base, a ltransparent block removably mounted on the base, said block including a pair of lower members and an upper member superimposed on said lower members and on the base, all of said members being distinctively colored and adapted to represent air masses of respectively different characteristic shapes, the lower members further including oppositely beveled, overlapping inner faces, said lower members, in conjunction with each other, being formed to provide a substantially synclinal upper surface, the upper member conforming substantially to said substantially synclinal surface and resting thereon, and dowels detachably securing th members in position on the base.

SAMUEL C. WITHERS, J s. 

